Life in the court of King Henry VIII is a complex game. When fifteen-year-old Catherine Howard catches the king's eye, she quickly transforms from ...
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Jan 24, 2009
Becky
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Libby, Alisa. M. 2009. (March 2009) THE KING'S ROSE. Dutton. 296.
The King's Rose is one of those books that just captured my attention (and my heart!). It is a fictionalized account of Catherine Howard, and for those not in the know, she was the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Catherine Howard was just fifteen (perhaps even fourteen) when she caught the lusty eyes of the King. (And Henry liked them young.) Catherine's tale is tragic in that while the king chose her...she quite honestly did More...
The King's Rose is one of those books that just captured my attention (and my heart!). It is a fictionalized account of Catherine Howard, and for those not in the know, she was the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Catherine Howard was just fifteen (perhaps even fourteen) when she caught the lusty eyes of the King. (And Henry liked them young.) Catherine's tale is tragic in that while the king chose her...she quite honestly did More...
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Apr 01, 2009
Rebecca
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Born into the ambitious Howard family, Catherine has never had much control over her life and fate. Her cousin, the infamous Anne Boleyn, lured King Henry VIII into marriage then met a grisly end. Hoping for a marriage that will benefit the family, Catherine’s relatives send her to court in 1540, when she is fifteen. There, Catherine catches the eye of the king, who decides to divorce his current wife, Anne of Cleves, and marry her. Though Catherine would prefer to marry for love, one does not r
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Dec 12, 2010
Beth
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This, quite frankly, was not a book I enjoyed reading (hence the three stars.) It is, however, a great book.
A few points:
1) The protagonist Catherine, as one of Henry VII's wives, is doomed from the start, and the author is unflinching in addressing this.
2) The prose can be a bit heavy-handed at times, too noticeable, too prosy. Mostly, though, it's smooth; different in exactly the right way, always reminding you while you read that the book is historical, but not d More...
A few points:
1) The protagonist Catherine, as one of Henry VII's wives, is doomed from the start, and the author is unflinching in addressing this.
2) The prose can be a bit heavy-handed at times, too noticeable, too prosy. Mostly, though, it's smooth; different in exactly the right way, always reminding you while you read that the book is historical, but not d More...
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Nov 17, 2009
Aik Chien
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Catherine Howard, King Henry’s 'rose without a thorn' was only fifteen years old when she caught the his lustful eye. Her life changed that very moment. She was introduced to a glamorous and luxurious world which she had not encountered before she became Queen. At first, she found it interesting to pamper herself with gorgeous, specially-tailored gowns and dresses, exquisite, one-of-a-kind jewels and indulge herself in elaborate revelries.
It was not long before she realized the truth More...
It was not long before she realized the truth More...
Oct 29, 2009
Colleen
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As someone whose love of history (especially the Tudors) dates back to her early teens, I was really looking forward to reading this book aimed at readers aged 14 and up. I did find the book to be an engaging treatment of the story of Catherine Howard's marriage, especially as she is so often overlooked in favor of her more flamboyant predecessor. The writing was crisp and the pacing of the book was excellent.
I also think Libby did a wonderful job capturing the voice of her 15 year- More...
I also think Libby did a wonderful job capturing the voice of her 15 year- More...
Oct 27, 2009
Alex
rated it:
I'm embarrassed to admit this (being the huge Tudor freak that I am), but I've never known much about Catherine Howard, Henry the VIII's fifth wife. Of course I knew how she met her demise, thanks to the singsong "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" they teach children in school. But I am ashamed to say I never actually knew WHY she was beheaded.
Thank goodness someone finally wrote a book about her! She is the least talked about of the wives, and not man More...
Thank goodness someone finally wrote a book about her! She is the least talked about of the wives, and not man More...
Mar 25, 2010
Mariah
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The stories of King Henry VIII his wives, and his children have to be some of my favorite ever! I absolutely love that time period in English History. So needless to say I was really excited to read this book!
This is the story of King Henry's fifth wife, and one of the ones that is less heard of. I really enjoyed learning more about Catherine Howard, I enjoyed seeing her relationship and confusion during her marriage with Henry, Alisa Libby really shows the doubts that Catheri More...
This is the story of King Henry's fifth wife, and one of the ones that is less heard of. I really enjoyed learning more about Catherine Howard, I enjoyed seeing her relationship and confusion during her marriage with Henry, Alisa Libby really shows the doubts that Catheri More...
Aug 14, 2009
Katrina
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I developed a bit of a fascination with the wives of King Henry VIII after having read The Other Boleyn Girl, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a book written for young adults about one of his wives. Overall, I enjoyed the book, although I did find Catherine to be a bit naive about where Henry's love and loyalties lay. It was as if she was unaware of the fates of his previous wives, so I did find that a bit hard to swallow. I was also annoyed with the ending; I felt like things dragged on
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Dec 16, 2009
Courtney
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I have a bizarre obsession with all things Tudor and Elizabethan, so I got pretty excited when I found out about a book imagining the life of Catherine Howard, cousin to the far more infamous Anne Boleyn. I already knew how things would end up, but it's so rare to see more than a mere mention of Catherine that it was more than worth the read.
The book is well-written and picks up with Catherine right before she marries Henry VIII. She plays her role well, unaware of the high toll that r More...
The book is well-written and picks up with Catherine right before she marries Henry VIII. She plays her role well, unaware of the high toll that r More...
Aug 09, 2011
Amanda
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The King's Rose, by Alisa M. Libby, tells the tale of King Henry VIIII's fifth wife, Catherine Howard. It begins as Catherine remembers her cousin, Anne Boleyn, as King Henry's second wife and her ultimate downfall. Catherine dreams of becoming the fifth wife of Henry and giving Henry what his previous wives couldn't give him, a son. The book continues on, artfully describing Catherine's rise to power and her disgrace, just like Anne. This historical novel weaves together the life of one of thos
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Apr 17, 2009
Kara
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Alisa Libby tackles the events of Henry VIII's fifth marriage, and takes a shot, like so many historical fiction writers before and after her, at getting into the main player's heads. This isn't the best re-creation of the historic events, but it is a very good story, suggesting Katherine perhaps wasn't as stupid as everyone thinks. I don't agree with all the choices Libby makes with her characters, (Thomas's character, for example, is way too softened - let us not forget he was a rapist) but I
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Aug 11, 2010
Brigita
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Perhaps my two stars are a bit unjust, but I couldn't really get into the book. The reason for that is that I already knew Cathrine Howard's story very well from reading Phillipa Gregory's novel. I know the story couldn't be any different than it was due to historic facts, but still, it felt like I was re-reading Gregory's Boleyn's Inheritance.
When a novel is written based on facts and an event that has already taken place and therefore everyone knows how it ended, the writing and pl More...
When a novel is written based on facts and an event that has already taken place and therefore everyone knows how it ended, the writing and pl More...
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Jul 10, 2009
Alaine
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I loved Alisa Libby's story about Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's 5th wife. It is a tragic story of a young girl of 15 who is used by her family, loved by a king and betrayed by her past.
One of the things made clear in this novel is the greed of the main players at court, the Howard's and the Seymour's. This poor girl never had a chance, the Seymour's wanted her dead so that Jane's son Edward would be King and as he was only 4 years old one of them would be the caretaker of the crown. More...
One of the things made clear in this novel is the greed of the main players at court, the Howard's and the Seymour's. This poor girl never had a chance, the Seymour's wanted her dead so that Jane's son Edward would be King and as he was only 4 years old one of them would be the caretaker of the crown. More...
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May 15, 2009
Haley
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If anyone knows anything about English history, then they most likely know about Henry VIII. If the know about any of his wives it would probably be the most notorious one, Anne Boleyn, the tragic queen that Henry split off from the Roman Catholic Church for. The mother of the woman who would have an era named after her(Elizabethan).
But few know about her cousin, Catherine Howard, who meets an equally disturbing fate. Her predicament of marriage is almost even worse- she was fifteen and in More...
But few know about her cousin, Catherine Howard, who meets an equally disturbing fate. Her predicament of marriage is almost even worse- she was fifteen and in More...
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Aug 30, 2010
Rachel
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Recently I've been reading a lot of historical fiction, and it's hard to tell which are going to be good, and which are the duds.
Happily, this one turned out well.
I've always been interested by Katherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth and youngest wife. She always struck me as a girl too young (or perhaps just too silly) to maneuver through the treacherous waters of the Tudor court. This is that story.
Katherine is caught up in her family's machinations as they More...
Happily, this one turned out well.
I've always been interested by Katherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth and youngest wife. She always struck me as a girl too young (or perhaps just too silly) to maneuver through the treacherous waters of the Tudor court. This is that story.
Katherine is caught up in her family's machinations as they More...
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Mar 31, 2010
Sarah
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The story of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife.
I really enjoyed this. I think I have a soft spot for Tudor England and the court of Henry VIII. I was a bit worried that this was going to be too much romance and not enough history (from the book jacket) but it wasn't at all. I commented early on to a friend that I wished I knew more history so I would know what happened before I read it - and then she told me and I wished I hadn't asked! But, the book was very well done. I thi More...
I really enjoyed this. I think I have a soft spot for Tudor England and the court of Henry VIII. I was a bit worried that this was going to be too much romance and not enough history (from the book jacket) but it wasn't at all. I commented early on to a friend that I wished I knew more history so I would know what happened before I read it - and then she told me and I wished I hadn't asked! But, the book was very well done. I thi More...
Jul 27, 2009
Briony
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Being a Tudor History fan, I was originally very excited about this book; however, once I finished it, I was quite indifferent to it. I can see the angle that the author was attempting by keeping Catherine’s attention on producing an heir, keeping beautiful, and wanting to be entertained, as Catherine Howard was supposedly a senseless girl, who lacked the intelligence and wit that her notorious cousin, Anne Boleyn had. However, to someone, particularly a teen, who has not studied or read on the
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Oct 13, 2011
Jennifer
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A good first-person account of the short life of Catherine Howard, the second of King Henry VIII's wives to be beheaded. It's mostly sympathetic, told by Catherine, and quite emotional. This story takes the idea that Catherine was nothing but a pawn in her family's hands, left to bear the brunt of scandal on her own when her history was found out. I kind of hate reading historical fiction where I know what's going to happen in the end, but I unexpectedly found a lump in my throat reading about h
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Jun 11, 2010
Kate
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Review in 75 words or less: A throughly enjoyable historical fiction novel. I found this novel to be a breath of fresh air in a sometimes dry and/or dull genre. The plot was well researched, and the reader can tell that the author cares very much about the topic as well as the characters, both fictional and historical.While the whole novel was great, it was the ending that had me amazed. It was filled with breathtaking emotions that will move you.
Final verdict: A lovely historical nove More...
Final verdict: A lovely historical nove More...
Jan 11, 2010
Angela
rated it:
In “The King’s Rose”, author Alisa M. Libby brings to life the fifth wife of King Henry VIII.
Born into a family that was notorious for using the women of their family as stepping stones to enhance their status at court, young Catherine Howard becomes their pawn in the devious game of court elevation. Allowed to behave in an unscrupulous manner while living in the house of her grandmother the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, Catherine must now burn her past and pretend it never exist More...
Born into a family that was notorious for using the women of their family as stepping stones to enhance their status at court, young Catherine Howard becomes their pawn in the devious game of court elevation. Allowed to behave in an unscrupulous manner while living in the house of her grandmother the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, Catherine must now burn her past and pretend it never exist More...
Jul 15, 2009
Kristin
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A new and different approach to the Tudors and Henry VIII, Alisa Libby’s The King’s Rose tells the story of Henry’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Cousin to Anne Boleyn, Catherine’s story reveals her concerns with the marriage even before the king’s proposal. Free from any glaring historical anomalies, The King’s Rose builds upon real letters and testimonies to develop a love plot between Catherine and her cousin Thomas.
The King’s Rose is structured around the contradictions of court More...
The King’s Rose is structured around the contradictions of court More...
Oct 02, 2009
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com
Yet another young female has caught the eye of the aging King Henry Tudor.
This time it is fifteen-year-old Catherine Howard, cousin to Anne Boleyn. Less than a year has passed since her arrival at court, and she is now the Queen of England. Catherine's new life of luxury and being the king's "rose without a thorn" is different.
But Catherine's past haunts her, so she must be careful. She dreams of that kiss she More...
Yet another young female has caught the eye of the aging King Henry Tudor.
This time it is fifteen-year-old Catherine Howard, cousin to Anne Boleyn. Less than a year has passed since her arrival at court, and she is now the Queen of England. Catherine's new life of luxury and being the king's "rose without a thorn" is different.
But Catherine's past haunts her, so she must be careful. She dreams of that kiss she More...
Dec 11, 2010
Julia
rated it:
Beautifully written historical fiction on Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII's fifth wife, and his rose without a thorn. It chronicles Catherine's rapid rise from lady-in-waiting to Henry's queen, where a series of mistakes (her affair with Thomas Culpeper, among others) lead to her downfall.
The final chapters dealing with her imprisonment and eventual death were superbly written - my favorite scenes are when Catherine is visited by her cousin Anne Boleyn's ghost, and the very last scen More...
The final chapters dealing with her imprisonment and eventual death were superbly written - my favorite scenes are when Catherine is visited by her cousin Anne Boleyn's ghost, and the very last scen More...
Aug 30, 2010
Bethany
rated it:
Normally I would like to read any type of Historical Fiction-but after reading a few chapters, I got really bored with this book. The same thing can be repeated in this book; "You have to get the king's favor and win the throne, Catherine." but of course, things don't turn out the way they wanted it to-she does win the throne-but she gets beheaded on the way,
I don't particularly like this book, as I said before. The way Catherine was described showed me that she only really More...
I don't particularly like this book, as I said before. The way Catherine was described showed me that she only really More...
Dec 26, 2008
Diana
rated it:
Catherine Howard was one of those wives of Henry the 8th I never knew much about beyond the fact that she had been beheaded. I had no idea that she was so young. Libby does a good job of presenting a shallow, self-centered girl who through the machinations of her family becomes a queen of England. It will be interesting to read other historical fiction by Libby to see how she deals with a more likable character. I did enjoy the sympathetic portrayals of Henry's wives done by Jean Plaidy (aka Vic
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Oct 28, 2010
Tamra
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I didn't know much about King Henry VIII's fifth wife. What a sad life for such a young woman. She was completely manipulated and looked upon as nothing more than a means to an end for her family and their greed to rise to the top of the royal circles. Your life as a young woman in those days was definitely not your own. King Henry's behavior and treatment of Catherine before and during their marriage as well as after her execution spoke volumes of his insecurities as a king and as a man. Al
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Sep 02, 2009
Laura
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 17, 2009
46milestogo
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Beautifully done book about Catherine Howard, the fifth and youngest wife of Henry VIII. She wasn't queen for long and Libby does an outstanding job of portraying a teen girl thrust into a role she is unprepared for, and how her family essentially pushes her into place and then, when things fall apart, sacrifice her with no qualms at all. Howard's story is probably the saddest of all of Henry's wives, and Libby did an outstanding job writing about it. For teens who like historical fiction, and f
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Jun 06, 2011
Rebecca
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Page turner for the right reader: A rich but not exciting book, complex. 15 yr old Katherine Howard as she becomes 5th wife of Henry VIII, his "rose without a thorn." A lot of court intrigue. Libby does a good job of situating Kathrine's reactions into her time period. We spend the whole book inside Kathrine's head, in her musings, while for the first 1/2 of the book very little actually happens, and what does happen is greeted by Kathrine in a low key way. This Kathrine,, as written,
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Aug 25, 2010
Kristy
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If nothing else, this book makes me ready for the 4th season of Tudors to hurry up and come out so I can buy it.
I am definitely not as familiar with Catherine's story as I am with Anne Boelyn's. It was interesting to read from this young queens prospective. In the end, her fate is the same as her cousins.... death on the block.
I don't feel like this book really offered anything drastically new or refresing, yet it was still a decent read.
If you like historical fiction, this o More...
I am definitely not as familiar with Catherine's story as I am with Anne Boelyn's. It was interesting to read from this young queens prospective. In the end, her fate is the same as her cousins.... death on the block.
I don't feel like this book really offered anything drastically new or refresing, yet it was still a decent read.
If you like historical fiction, this o More...
